infant Life jacket's

[Mr Chopalicious]

Hi All,

I am thinking of taking my 1 year old daughter out in the boat for the first time soon, obviesouly only in good conditions around the nearby islands we have. Can anyone please tell me where online i could possibly find infant life jackets, i live in a small town and cant find any here. the smallest i can find here is for a 3-4 year old, and are too big for her.

Any help greatly appreciated
Kieran

[Hornet Rider]

Kieran,

Try this mob - http://www.yachtandboat.com.au/shop/...ld-baby-infant

If you intend to take your bub out, might be wise to test run her with the jacket in the bath first, then a pool. Not that it should be a concern during winter but keep an eye on over heating & dehydration. Might pay to introduce your bub to the engine noise before you take her out on the water.

One last thing, & I say this with all sincerity - she's got the rest of her life to enjoy the pleasures of boating. Maybe waiting until she can swim might be an option. I'm sure you'll be all over safety and caring for your bub, but it only takes one inattentive moment by another boat, jet ski, unseen submerged object etc to create a regretful incident. All the best.

cheers, HR

[Mr Chopalicious]

Cheers HR,
Thanks for the advice, appreciate it, It's not a certainty yet that she will be going on the boat yet, i have only been thinking about it, I have an extremely cautious wife, myself also. i can only hope that when the day comes that she is allowed in the boat that she loves it as much as we do..

Cheers again

[Richo1]

Hi Kieran,

I take my daughter out with me nearly all of the time now (3.8m tinny), she is 2 1/2 now and loves it. I stick to river and calm water fishing and are now getting a Haines 520 ready to take her out into the bay! Started when she was about 1 on small outings and now we go on trips for up to 6 hours at a time. Best to buy a lifejacket that has the wetsuit strap that goes between the legs, that way you can lift them out of the water/boat easily and comfortably. The one I got was a "Ballastic" don't have anymore info as I'm not at home. You could try Bias Boating or Whitworths marine just do a google search and you will get their web address. Got it for around $80 anything much cheaper than that wasn't as good. She actually enjoys having it on! She has become my good luck charm as i always catch good fish when I'm with her, probably because I'm relaxed and not trying too hard.

Regards,

Richo

[stevej]

i have a new infants life jacket you can have for $50
i just sold my boat so only got to use it once

the one on the right

[Marlin_Mike]

Make sure ypou get a PFD 1 for her, keeps the head up and out of the water...........


Mike

[=Wookie=]

Hey Kieran,

I have twin girls that are now 2, I got them a Brand called Ultra Raider its a PFD 1 and very easy to wear. I often take them out down the river or in calm conditions and they love it, we sometimes go fishing or try to but normally I just pack some snacks/treats and drop anchor somewhere calm and have a picnic in the boat and watch the world go by.

I often get hassled now with the saying "Daddy, more boat".

I am very cautious with my girls in the boat and never go to a busy ramp or when we could be rushed as thats when accidents happens. I always pack extra food and water as well as clothing for them in-case of the unexpected.

I also tested mine in the pool with the girls and they do a great job at keeping the head out of the water and making sure they are oriented the correct way.

Here is a link on the Ultra site.

http://www.ultrapfd.com.au/default.asp?PageID=50


Cheers,
Mike

[Mike Delisser]

You should also check the Marine Q, Fisheries or Water Police web site for the current Aus Standard number for a PFD1 as it changed not long ago. The regs now require reflective tape to meet the current PFD 1 standard, so even if the jacket says it's a PFD1 it will be no good unless it displays the new Australian Standard number and has tape. Also some more changers are forcast to bring all the states in line with the same standards. Not all the PFDs in shops at the moment are going to meet these new standards so do some reserch before you buy or you could be required to replace them again very soon.
Cheers